mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : GE revisions

b. 173

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In the manuscripts there is no  restoring e2 at the end of the bar. Chopin's oversight was already corrected in GE1 and the remaining editions. In the main text we have already added a cautionary  to e3 (it is also in GE3).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A

b. 180

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in A (→GE1→GE2)

 in FE & EE

 in FESB

in GE3
..

According to the editors, the  sign in A (→GE1→GE2) is entered imprecisely because it includes a rest during which a crescendo cannot be started. In the main text, we give it a scope analogous to the next such sign. A similar interpretation is used in FE and EE, as well as in FESB, in which, however, the sign is reversed (diminuendo instead of crescendo). It's hard to say whether this was an intentional change or a mistake. On the contrary, in GE3 the sign was slightly extended, which was probably a revision.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Scope of dynamic hairpins , GE revisions , Sign reversal , FE revisions , Revisions in FESB ,

b. 180

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

 in A

 in GE (→FE,EE,FESB)
..

It is difficult to say whether the change in the direction of the dynamic hairpin under the second two-note motif was introduced intentionally by Chopin or the reviser of GE1, or whether it is the result of an engraver's mistake. The lack of visible traces of changes in the print rather indicates an adjustment or – what the editors believe is most likely – an error. The engraver could have made the quite common "mirror" error by simply inverting the sign (cf. e.g. Nocturne in D Op. 27 No. 2, b. 6), or perceived this and the previous sign to be a pair  , very common in music in general, and in these Variations in particular. Therefore, we leave in the main text the only undoubtedly authentic version of A.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Sign reversal

b. 182

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

2 quavers e1 in AsI, contextual interpretation

2 quavers e1 in AsI, contextual interpretation

Semiquaver, demisemiquaver & quaver e1 in AsI, alternative version of b. 182', contextual interpretation

Crotchet e1 in A (→GE→EE,FESB)

e1 crotchet & demisemiquaver in FE, contextual interpretation

Completed FE version suggested by the editors
..

In the main text we give a version with e1 repeated at the end of the bar, introduced almost certainly by Chopin in the stage of proofreading FE. At the same time, we add a dot prolonging the a1 semiquaver, since the different values of the components of the a1-d2 fourth, neither musically nor pianistically justified, may be a result of inaccurately implemented proofreading corrections.
In GE1 (→EE) a dot prolonging the e1 crotchet played in the middle of the bar was added. The patent mistake was corrected by GE2 (→GE3,FESB), but not by FE.
In AsI, in b. 182' (the second record of this bar) there are two versions – the principal one, written in clear, normal-sized script, and the alternative one, superimposed on the previous one in a draft form.
A few authentic versions of this place show that Chopin changed his mind on the repetition of e1 in the 2nd half of the bar twice – in AsI (all versions) on the 4th quaver in the bar, in A without repetition, in FE at the end of the bar.
In the provided variants we also included the different values of the last two R.H. notes – semiquavers in AsI (version of b. 182), dotted rhythm in all the remaining versions.
There is a similar situation in b. 198.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Accompaniment changes , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 182

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

G in AsI

F in A (→GE1→FE,EE,GE2→FESB)

F in GE3
..

Naturally, the version of AsI, written out twice, is earlier. In the main text we add a cautionary  to this F; the accidental was also added by GE3. There is a similar situation in b. 198.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: GE revisions , Accompaniment changes